Workers need to receive a living wage.

The minimum living wage is a matter of concern for trade unions and is also a topic that many delegates and experts have commented on in the draft document submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Party, organized by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL).

- Ảnh 1. — Dr. Pham Thu Lan, former Deputy Director of the Institute of Workers and Trade Unions

A minimum living wage has not yet been legalized.

Commenting on the draft document, Dr. Pham Thu Lan, former Deputy Director of the Institute of Workers and Trade Unions (now the Institute of Strategy and Policy of the Fatherland Front), stated that the current concept of minimum wage only meets the minimum living standard and does not guarantee a "sufficient living." Given the current income and expenditure of workers, the calculation indicators are no longer appropriate because they are still based on the poor and low-income groups.

"We have legalized the minimum wage, but we haven't yet legalized a minimum wage that is sufficient to live on. As a middle-income country, we need to shift from the mindset of 'minimum wage' to 'minimum wage that is sufficient to live on,' meaning ensuring an appropriate standard of living for workers and their families over a certain period," Ms. Lan suggested.

According to Ms. Lan, a living wage, as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO), is the minimum wage sufficient for workers and their families to cover essential basic expenses, including nutritious food, adequate housing, healthcare, education , transportation, social interaction, and savings for the future. If the country only reaches the minimum living standard, it will be difficult for it to achieve significant breakthroughs.

When workers are paid a living wage, they not only have enough to eat and wear, but also the opportunity to learn, accumulate knowledge, and innovate. That is the real driving force for sustainable development.

Based on practical experience, Ms. Lan proposed that the draft Political Report to be submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Party should include the goal of achieving a "living minimum wage" in the section on national development goals and objectives for the period 2026-2035; and at the same time, it should summarize 40 years of implementing wage policies to aim towards ensuring a decent standard of living for workers.

MVI_5473

Regarding this matter, Ngo Duy Hieu, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, said that a minimum living wage is a matter of particular concern to the trade union organization and will continue to research and propose solutions at an appropriate time.

Building the working class in the new era

Associate Professor Bui Dinh Bon, former Secretary-General of the Central Theoretical Council, stated that building a strong working class requires linking it to socio-economic development strategies, improving professional skills, and fostering creativity.

According to him, the working class is the vanguard force in industrialization and modernization, so wage policies must be sufficient to live on and encourage long-term commitment.

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc An, President of the Vietnam Education Trade Union, believes that many workers still face obstacles when wanting to improve their skills or change careers due to work pressure, high costs, and lack of time.

- Ảnh 2. — According to experts, the working class is the vanguard force in industrialization and modernization, so wage policies must ensure a living wage.

Mr. An suggested that the State should concretize the policy of "lifelong learning for workers and laborers by 2030" with feasible regulations and guidelines, prioritize financial resources to support businesses and workers participating in training, and allow businesses to deduct training costs from taxes to encourage investment in vocational education.

In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the volatility of the labor market, Ms. Nguyen Kim Loan, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor, believes that a new resolution with a more comprehensive and modern mindset is needed to develop the working class in terms of employment, income, social security, qualifications, and skills.

According to Ms. Loan, it is necessary to prioritize the goal of building a new working class that becomes a pioneering force, possessing four qualities: high skill level, industrial work ethic, innovative capacity, and firm political stance. To achieve this, it is necessary to implement comprehensive solutions regarding training, ensuring rights, developing Party and trade union organizations in enterprises, and training and nurturing outstanding workers as a source of cadres.

Ms. Thai Thu Xuong, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, stated that soliciting feedback on the draft documents for the 14th National Congress of the Party is a broad and profound political activity, demonstrating the dedication, responsibility, and trust of the working class and trade union organizations in the Party. The opinions of cadres, Party members, union members, and workers will contribute to perfecting the documents and contributing to the development of the country.

Ms. Xương requested that trade union levels continue to gather opinions at the grassroots level, compile them, and send them to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor before November 8th; and at the same time, monitor the situation of union members, workers, and public opinion related to the Party congresses at all levels and the 14th National Congress of the Party.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-lao-dong-can-duoc-huong-luong-du-song-185251103162012873.htm